By Matthew Holloway |

Arizona Senate Majority Whip Sen. Frank Carroll (R-LD28) is advancing legislation to restrict unauthorized individuals from operating commercial vehicles in the state, giving law enforcement officials the authority to demand proof of lawful presence and to impound trucks when drivers cannot demonstrate legal status. The move responds to high-profile, deadly crashes involving commercial drivers who were illegally in the U.S.

The bill received a “Do Pass” recommendation from the Military Affairs & Border Security (MABS) Committee on February 9 by a 4–3 vote, with only Republican support, moving the proposal forward in the legislative process.

Senate Bill 1511, sponsored by Carroll, would require anyone operating a commercial vehicle in Arizona to provide evidence of lawful presence in the United States. Under the proposal, licenses issued by other states or foreign countries would not qualify as proof of lawful presence for commercial operation in Arizona.

SB 1511 would empower law enforcement officers to impound commercial vehicles when a driver cannot provide the required proof of authorization to be in the country. Vehicle owners, not the state, would be responsible for all costs associated with impoundment under the bill’s provisions.

According to Carroll, the legislation is intended to mitigate the risk of deadly crashes involving drivers who are not legally present in the U.S. The Senate press release cited recent incidents, including a February crash in Indiana involving a driver who was an unauthorized immigrant and holder of a commercial driver’s license issued in Pennsylvania that resulted in the deaths of four people, as well as a case involving Rajinder Kumar, who was issued a CDL in California and later killed two newlyweds returning from their honeymoon.

In a statement issued last week, Carroll said: “Arizona cannot afford to wait for another preventable tragedy. This bill is about saving lives and holding everyone on our roads accountable. Americans are dying because illegal drivers are being licensed to operate massive commercial trucks. Rajinder Kumar, an Indian national who illegally entered the US from Mexico, was issued a CDL license in California and later killed two newlyweds returning from their honeymoon. This could happen here if we don’t act. With this bill, Arizona will not allow unqualified or illegal drivers on the road. Law enforcement will have the tools to act immediately, families will be safer, and our roads will be protected. This legislation turns tragedy into action. Arizona is drawing a line: the safety of our citizens comes first, and we will not wait for another senseless death to take action.”

Carroll’s press release stated the goal is to “prevent tragedies before they happen and to protect Arizonans on our roads.”

Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.